The Fair of San Gannero. Signed by John McPhee. Signed Limited First Edition, First Printing. Press-22. Portland, 1981.

John McPhee is an American author whose creative nonfiction ranks among the best of the twentieth century. He has published dozens of book-length works with subjects ranging from sports to geology. His works are collectively known for their outstanding prose and elegant interweavings of scientific and historical facts into narratives. For his contributions, McPhee has earned a Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction, a National Book Critics Circle Award, and a Wallace Stegner Award. In this scarce fine press volume, however, a little known gem among McPhee’s works is offered in its first book-form edition: The Fair of San Gannero. It is his only published work of fiction–a short story that first appeared in the Transatlantic Review in 1961, decades before McPhee had made a name for himself as a nonfiction author. It is a remarkable work, showcasing a knack for dialogue and scene, written before any of his other books were published. For any McPhee collector, The Fair of San Gannero is an elusive and highly desirable volume. It proves his talent at the onset of his career. This signed limited first edition is signed by McPhee on the colophon. It is in about-fine condition. In the original quarter cloth, very good with only rubbed bottom corner of spine. Marbled paper boards. Text block fine. Bembo type and Curtis rag paper. This is one copy of only 250 produced. A scarce fine press signed limited first edition by John McPhee.